This course is for BCMC members only.  Course will be held August 7, 2021.

Note 1: if this course is not fully booked, i.e. 6 paid participants, this course may be cancelled and refunds will be provided to those that paid.

Base Course Fee:    $165 + GST (Special BCMC Members price).

Course Objectives and Itinerary:  Taught by Canada West Mountain School (CWMS). The 1-day BCMC Course is an essential for backcountry travel in any season. 

Online Pre-course learning
The Mountain Navigation course includes an Online Pre-course that is approximately 2 hours of self-paced learning. This will be completed in our Virtual Classroom, with an access link emailed to you after registering for your specific course date. The topics covered in our Virtual Classroom include:

• fundementals of mountain navigation
• introduction to topographic maps
• overview of recreational compasses 
• pre-trip planning resources

Live Zoom class session
In addition to the Online Pre-course material and the Practical Field training, each Mountain Navigation course includes an essential Live Zoom theory session held on a mid-week evening from 7-9 pm prior to the Practical Field-based training day. During this Live Zoom session, you will meet your instructor and other teammates on the course and cover the theory material required to prepare for the practical field-based training.

Practical Field-based training
On the field day, you will meet with your group at the pre-arranged trailhead at 8:00 am. The actual location and timing of the day will depend on the weather, time of year, location preference of the participants, and other factors. The location and logistics for each Field Training day will be determined on the mid-week Live Zoom session. 

The practical Field training day will be conducted outdoors and includes the following essential mountain navigation and map/compass skills:

• how to take bearings
• practical map reading skills
• determining your position on a map
• re-section (triangulation)
• navigation using your surroundings
• off-trail travel and navigation 
• tips and techniques for "staying found"
• overview of common GPS Apps
• basic emergency response measures if lost

You will return to the trailhead between 4:00 - 4:30 pm and complete the course with a short wrap-up and question session.

Equipment: 

Everyone on the Mountain Navigation course needs to be prepared for a full day outdoors in any/all conditions. The course will be conducted in all weather conditions, including rain, snow, wind, and other inclement weather, so it is important to be well prepared.

In addition to the standard day-hiking gear (see Day-hiking Gear List below), students on the Mountain Navigation course require:

• A magnetic compass (not a phone App or watch compass)
• Pencil and notbook

Here is a link to our online tutorial  "Compass Essentials", this will help you to choose a compass. Maps and other navigation tools will be supplied by CWMS for the field session.

Equipment List:    Gear List for Day Hiking